Beets
- Botanical Name
- Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
- Hardiness
- Annual
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained
- Planting & Care
- Beets best germinate in temperature between 50 F to 85 F.
- Sow outdoors 30 days before last expected frost; sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. Thin to 1-3 inch when plants are 4 to 5 inches tall.
- Cut rather than pull seedling to avoid disturbing surrounding plants. Eat the thinned greens by adding to salads or sandwiches.
- Successive plant thru late summer.
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Beets perform best and produce better color and flavor in cool weather in soil that is both well weeded and has consistent moisture.
- Harvest both the roots & the foliage.
- Problems
- Aphids, leafminers, leaf spot, downy mildew
- Varieties
- Ruby Queen - All-America Selections winner, round, uniform shape
- Sweetheart - foliage great for greens, very sweet roots
- Red Ace - early variety, heat tolerant, sweet flavor
- Golden - early golden variety, sweet flavor
- Avalanche - AAS winner, creamy white, sweet flavored root that lacks the earthy beety flavor of other varieties, 50 days to maturity
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